Boreal Expressions Session week 2 recap

With an impressive combination of style, technicality and determination, youngster Caleb Bonneville quietly climbed to the top of the Grom division for the third consecutive Expression Session, dating all the way back to the final event of last season. Meanwhile, Alex Hereford took the painful route to yet another podium spot with his first place finish in the Men’s division (he also took home the Burger Me! Best Crash Award).

Alex Hereford almost reached outerspace with this massive backside three off the pole jam.

The Expression Sessions are a homegrown event series as well as a refreshing change from your everyday rail jam. This year’s theme – Terrain Park Expressions – looks to unleash the creativity of Boreal’s terrain park staff to come up with some of the most crazy features and setups you have ever seen. “Our Park Staff really took it to a new level for this event,” said Anders Isaacson, Boreal’s Marketing Coordinator. The venue included a new feature called the Pole Jam Doghouse, and a Flat Floating Tube, as well as an elevated set of features including a Pole Jam, a Wrecking Ball Bonk and an additional Doghouse that were propped up on what looked like a huge Nike Swoosh made out of snow. “I could ride this setup all day and still find new lines,” said Lou Macias, who ended up taking third in Men’s Snowboard. To top it off, Red Bull brought out their MXT and Skullcandy provided the music courtesy of DJ Paul.

Shawn O’Neill took it to a different level with this HUGE back flip off the pole jam.

The snowboarders waited patiently while the skiers had the first heat. As soon as the boarders had they’re shot, IT WAS ON. You’ve probably heard the saying “no friends on a pow day.” Try – no friends in a contest when a free Lib Tech Skate Banana or a fresh pair of Arnette goggles are up for grabs. Wow. Shawn O’Neill got the madness started when he gapped 30 feet off the pole jam with a MASSIVE back flip. Once the riders began to understand what was possible, the action really took off. Alex Hereford’s backside three off the pole jam to disaster on the wrecking ball added to his impressive array of tricks on all five features and helped solidify his first place finish. Some of the other riders throwing down some heavy tricks included Jordan Wells, Josh Douglas and Lou Macias.

With what has become a tradition, the night wound down with a free pizza feed and award ceremony in the Boreal Lodge followed by a swag toss with everything from hoodies and beanies to wax and DVDs.

The third Expression Session is on the calendar for March 8th at Boreal Mountain and will once again be fueled by a full roster of sponsors, including Woodward Tahoe, Sessions, Lib Tech, Arbor, GNU, Skullcandy, Fyve, ThirtyTwo, Black Strap, Arnette, Nixon, Burger Me and Blue Coyote Bar & Grill.

Registration is from 5-6pm; action kicks off at 6:30pm! Helmets required!